It makes me feel worse. Like absolute scum for having inappropriate feelings for his mother.
I glare at Brooks. “We’re just friends, okay?”
“Don’t listen to the jackass here. He can’t even get back into his own home.” Staci rolls her eyes at Brooks, ignoring her food as she crosses her arms on the table in front of her. “Ask her to come out for drinks with us tonight. You’ll be in a group and get to hang out socially without any pressure.”
I pause, scratching my chin. “She may not be able to find a babysitter.”
“Doesn’t hurt to ask. Listen,” she says, and I lean forward like she’s sharing exclusive secrets of the female brain. “My sister-in-law in Seattle loves to go out with her friends, if she can get a babysitter. If not, she tries to reschedule. Mother or not, we’re women, and at the end of the day, we like to be treated as such.”
I pause, contemplating asking Clara to come out with us tonight like I’m trying to decide what house to buy. It’s just drinks. Drinks with friends. That’s acceptable.
“Don’t do it, man.” Brooks grunts when Staci elbows him. “What? Don’t you think it’s time for him to move on? I mean, Dax, dude, if you can’t or won’t tell her exactly how you feel, let her go. Stop this charade.”
“Like I said,” Staci butts in, “this from the guy who let a woman he’s been seeing for two months throw him out of his own home.” She smirks at Brooks, then picks up her water bottle and stands. “I don’t think you’re qualified to give romantic advice.”
She waves us off and disappears into the crowd of white coats and multi-colored scrubs. The cafeteria is buzzing with light chatter and clicking of trays. Brooks pushes his own tray aside. “She’s right, you know. I’m not qualified. Hell, I haven’t even told her Kelly moved out a few days ago.”
“What?” I almost choke on my coffee.
“Kelly moved her stuff out of my house.”
“And you’re still living with Staci, why?”
He shrugs, and a mischievous grin spreads across his face, his brown eyes darkening to almost black. He resembles a deranged scientist. “I like messing with her.”
My eyes widen in question.
“You know—using up the hot water, leaving dirty dishes everywhere, playing loud music.”
“You’re a child.”
“And I never want to grow up.”
“That, ladies and gentlemen”—I wave around sarcastically—“is your cardiothoracic surgeon at your service.”
“Listen, when she stops giving me shit about my lifestyle and turning the nurses against me, then I’ll move out of her place.”
“Whatever. I have grown-up work to do. Let me know if I need to pick you up from school later.” I snort.
He rolls his eyes as I walk away. Pulling my phone out, I text Clara to come out for drinks as I head to my office to prepare for the afternoon.
We could all use a night out to unwind.
To be part of the world like normal people, when our lives are anything but.
A night when I can just be Dax.
Eleven
Clara
Dax: Drinks tonight? Staci and Brooks are going. Bring Sienna too, if you want.
I really want to go. I need a good group of friends, even if they’re all doctors, who are a little intimidating, if I’m honest.
Me: If someone will watch Jacob, yes. But you have to keep the doctor talk to a minimum. Us simpletons don’t know what uncontrolled hypertension is. If you must, call it high blood pressure like the rest of us.
I add an emoji to lighten my tone, to which Dax immediately responds.
Dax: Fine. *Eye roll*
I set my phone on the sink in the bathroom and peel my sweaty clothes off my body. My jog was short but worthwhile, making me feel rejuvenated and light. There’s something extra special about running through our cozy neighborhood, waving to people sitting on their porches. Some even clapped and cheered me on like I was completing a marathon.
It was motivating, and I ran even faster.
Ready to wash the grime off me, I turn the shower on, but instead of water coming out, the showerhead falls, barely missing my head.
“Shit.” Shrieking, I jump back as the sound of metal against the ceramic tub echoes in my small bathroom.
I inspect the hole in the wall above it, my breaths labored. Where the hell is the pipe? It must’ve broken off and fallen back inside the wall. “What on earth…”
Exhaling in frustration, I grab my phone.
Me: Actually, I’ll be busy fixing my shower later. It almost just killed me.
After a few minutes of studying the hole, my phone rings.
“You didn’t have to call, Dax.”
“Are you okay? What happened?” I can barely hear him with the overhead speaker in the background and sporadic beeping noises. He must be at the hospital instead of the clinic.
“I’m fine. The showerhead just fell off. I’ll be watching YouTube videos all night, then attempting to fix it.”
There’s a sound of a door closing on his end, followed by silence. “I’ll do it.”
“No, you’re busy with work and a social life. I’ll be okay.”
“You don’t know the difference between a Phillips-head and a flat-head. How about you come to drinks with us, and I fix your shower after? This way, we both get social lives.”
My body sags with relief and gratitude for Dax and his handy ways.
After another friendly plea from him, I accept his offer before he has to hang up.
I check the clock on my phone to make sure I have time to run to the store before I need to pick Jacob up from school.
Although it’s hard to admit, I could use a break from being a single mom.
A single working mom.
I accepted and started a job as a part-time photographer for Sidney’s magazine. It’s an exciting opportunity, one that’s had me bouncing with a little extra energy this week. Sidney has been accommodating, and even though I just started a couple days ago, I can tell I’m really going to love
